LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The Lawrenceville City Council will discuss plans to expand the city limits at Wednesday’s meeting, with a proposal to add 19,000 new residents into the city’s auspices if it moves forward.
According to an announcement from city officials, this process would be done via annexation, adding 5,700 parcels to the city limits. It would need approval from the Gwinnett Legislative Delegation to get the item on a ballot for voters to approve.
The city said the plan to expand “aligns with the City of Lawrenceville’s vision of collaboration with county leadership to foster a unified, thriving community” and would help to deliver services to residents efficiently while strengthening community identity and ensuring responsible governance.
City officials said they wanted to bring both growth and economic benefits to the residents already in Lawrenceville and the ones who may join it due to the annexation.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Should the annexation be approved, Lawrenceville officials said it would decrease the percentage of tax-exempt parcels within the city from 40% to 21%, thereby increasing the property tax base and supporting financial sustainability.
“This annexation proposal, which will go before voters in May 2026, is the result of a year-long collaboration with Gwinnett County and state officials and marks a pivotal moment for Lawrenceville,” Lawrenceville Mayor David Still said in a statement. “As the county seat, we value our strong partnership with Gwinnett County in shaping this mutually beneficial plan. Expanding our boundaries will enhance service delivery, strengthen schools, and foster a deeper sense of community pride.
Lawrenceville remains committed to being a model city in Gwinnett—one that continues to prioritize the well-being and voices of its residents today and for generations to come.”
TRENDING STORIES:
- Atlanta off to a record warm start to February, but starting to cool
- Trump says he has directed US Treasury to stop minting new pennies, citing rising cost
- After Young Thug trial, Georgia lawmakers introduce bill to limit use of lyrics, art in court cases
Here are some of the proposal highlights, according to the city:
- Population Growth: Annexation would increase the City of Lawrenceville’s population by an estimated 19,000, providing access to city services, including enhanced public safety and community programs. Just over 70% of the proposed annexed area is residential and already has a Lawrenceville zip code.
- Clear and logical boundaries: By redefining its boundaries to align with landmarks and major roadways, the city seeks to eliminate confusion for residents and enhance connectivity within the area.
- Community and educational inclusion: Annexation incorporates well-known community spaces, including the Lawrenceville Methodist Campground, JM Tull Lawrenceville YMCA, and the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, into the city limits. Annexation also consolidates Central Gwinnett-Lawrenceville and Discovery High School clusters within the city limits, and strengthens ties to premier educational institutions, including the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology—Georgia’s No. 1 high school. All properties currently carry Lawrenceville addresses and are integral to the City of Lawrenceville’s identity.
- Empowering residents: The City of Lawrenceville is requesting approval from the Gwinnett Legislative Delegation to give residents in the proposed annexation area the opportunity to vote, ensuring they have a direct voice in their community’s future.
In terms of when on the calendar the next steps are, Lawrenceville officials gave the following schedule:
- Spring 2025: Gwinnett Legislative Delegation Approval and Governor’s Signature
- Fall/Winter 2025: Public Outreach and Annexation Education
- Spring 2026: Resident Vote on Annexation
- January 2027: Incorporation of Approved Areas (pending voter approval)
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]